When I write these reminiscences I often find that I second-guess myself and wonder why I did this and didn’t do that. Until recently there were three events that I’ve never recognized as occurring during the same extended year. Having failed to recognize these events individually, or to put them together in a string, I’ve never pondered whether they had individual effects, or a cumulative effect. Yes, they sound like, look like, and smell like excuses. Still, I feel compelled to throw them out there. Perhaps I should have just thrown them out. You judge.
In the summer of 1969 I cut the bottom of my foot on something sharp in the Mississippi river that required several stitches. I could not run for several weeks that summer and lost whatever fitness I had. As a result I was underprepared as I went into the cross country season of my senior year.
In the winter of 1969-1970 I separated my shoulder in a wrestling match. (I won.) I could not wrestle for the remainder of the season and could not run for several weeks. Again, fitness was lost. As a result I was underprepared as I went into the track season of my senior year.
In the summer of 1970 I contracted mononucleosis and was sick in bed for several weeks and could not run. Again, fitness was lost and I didn’t feel normal again for an entire year. As a result I was underprepared as I went into the college cross country season of my freshman year.
Honestly, I really don’t mean to imply could-a, would-a, should-a. I am extremely happy with the end result. It was all good. Overcoming obstacles makes an accomplishment meaningful.
This to me is about emotional and physical resilience, a quality not lost on your children.
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